Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury
Your complete guide to planning a pilgrimage on the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury
Route photograph: Wikimedia Commons
Plan your route
Click any brown pin on the map above and choose Add to your route to build your overnight stops, stage by stage.
Don't forget
A walk of this length (70 miles) is a real undertaking. Here is what you will need to stay safe and comfortable on the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury.
Physical preparation
- Build up to the daily mileage in the weeks before — walk in the boots you will wear on the trail.
- Break in your boots thoroughly to avoid blisters; carry plasters and moleskin.
- Pace yourself — start each stage slowly and take short, regular rests.
Clothing & footwear
- Sturdy, waterproof walking boots with good ankle support.
- Moisture-wicking layers — a base layer, fleece, and a waterproof jacket.
- A hat and gloves even in summer — UK hill weather can change quickly.
In your day pack
- At least 1.5–2 litres of water per stage, plus high-energy snacks.
- A small first-aid kit, blister plasters, and any personal medication.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses — you will be exposed for hours at a time.
Navigation & safety
- Carry a printed route map and compass; do not rely solely on a phone.
- Keep your phone charged — a small power bank is worth its weight.
- Tell someone your planned route and expected arrival time each day.
Use us to plan your accommodation
Use Pilgrim Stays UK to find and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay along the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury. For everything else — detailed route maps, GPX downloads, stage-by-stage guides and a community of fellow pilgrims — head to the British Pilgrimage Trust.
About this route
Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way is the 70-mile route from Southwark to Canterbury that Chaucer's pilgrims actually took in The Canterbury Tales. Rather than following the North Downs, the route forges straight along the Roman Watling Street, using footpaths that shadow the road through the orchards, hop gardens, pilgrim inns and villages of Kent. The newly-revived route passes shrines to St William of Perth, St Jude and the mysterious St Robert of Newington.
Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way is the 70-mile route from Southwark to Canterbury that Chaucer's pilgrims actually took in The Canterbury Tales. Unlike the modern Pilgrims' Way that follows the North Downs, Chaucer's merry band forged straight from Southwark to Canterbury along the Roman Watling Street, and this newly-revived route uses footpaths which shadow the road and open up a peaceful path through the orchards, hop gardens, pilgrim inns and villages of Kent.
St Thomas Becket, the archbishop whose murder brought pilgrims to his shrine in Canterbury, also travelled via Watling Street on occasion, and is remembered at many pilgrim points along the way. There are also shrines to St William of Perth in Rochester, St Jude in Faversham, and the mysterious St Robert of Newington, whose tomb survives in the village church complete with limb holes that the devout used to get as close as possible to the saint's relics.
Planning a Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury pilgrimage
Planning a pilgrimage on the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury? This guide covers everything you need — when to go, how many days to allow, where to stay, how to get there and what to pack — so you can plan your Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury walk with confidence.
When to go
The best months for planning a Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury pilgrimage are May to September, when daylight hours are longest and the weather is most reliable. Book your accommodation well in advance, especially during school holidays and summer weekends when places to stay along the route fill up quickly.
How many days to allow
Most pilgrims allow 7 days to complete the 70 miles route. Plan an overnight stop at the end of each of the 7 stages, and consider adding a rest day if you are walking for more than four days. Use our Plan Your Route tool above to map out your stage-by-stage itinerary.
Booking accommodation
Use our Plan Your Route tool to browse and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay in Southwark, Rochester, Faversham, Canterbury and along every stage of the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury. Add accommodation to each stage of your itinerary, then book directly through Pilgrim Stays UK for integrated listings or contact the provider for directory listings.
Getting there and back
Plan your transport to the start in Southwark Cathedral and your return from Canterbury. Many pilgrims use public transport — check train and bus connections when planning your pilgrimage itinerary.
What to pack
Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, a day pack, a water bottle, and layers for changeable British weather are essential for planning any UK pilgrimage. See our "Don't Forget" section below for a detailed packing checklist tailored to the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury.
Highlights along the way
Sacred sites, historic churches and landmarks you'll encounter on the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury.
Southwark Cathedral
St Thomas-a-Watering
Rochester Cathedral (St William of Perth)
St Jude's Shrine, Faversham
St Robert's tomb, Newington
Cross Well, Faversham
Canterbury Cathedral
Stage-by-stage accommodation on the Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way, Southwark to Canterbury
Plan your pilgrimage night by night. Each stage below shows available accommodation at the start and end of the day's walk — click through to view stays and check availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way?
Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way is the 70-mile route from Southwark to Canterbury that Chaucer's pilgrims actually took in The Canterbury Tales. Unlike the modern Pilgrims' Way that follows the North Downs, this route follows the Roman Watling Street, using footpaths which shadow the road through the orchards and hop gardens of Kent.
How is Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way different from the Pilgrims' Way?
The modern Pilgrims' Way follows the North Downs ridge from Winchester to Canterbury. Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way is the route Chaucer's pilgrims actually took, forging straight from Southwark to Canterbury along the Roman Watling Street through the villages and hop gardens of Kent.
How long is Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way?
Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way is 70 miles from Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral. Most pilgrims walk the route in 7 days, covering roughly 10 miles a day through the Kent countryside.
Where does Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way start and end?
The route starts at Southwark Cathedral in London and ends at Canterbury Cathedral, passing Rochester, Faversham and the village of Newington, with its shrine of the mysterious St Robert, along the way.
Where can I stay on Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way?
Pilgrim Stays UK lists verified pilgrim-friendly accommodation in Southwark, Rochester, Faversham and Canterbury for pilgrims walking Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury Cathedral.
How do I plan a Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way pilgrimage?
Start planning by allowing 7 days for the 70-mile walk from Southwark to Canterbury. Use our Plan Your Route tool to book pilgrim-friendly accommodation at each stage, arrange transport to Southwark and from Canterbury, and read Kent's Pilgrim Routes by Andy Bull for detailed route information.
When is the best time to walk Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way?
The best months for planning a Chaucer's Pilgrims' Way pilgrimage are May to September, when the Kent orchards and hop gardens are at their most beautiful and the footpaths are driest. Book accommodation early for Canterbury, which is a popular tourist destination.